Dry, rocky coastal slopes and flatlands in Southern California support drought-deciduous shrubs that are most active during the rainy season, in the winter and early spring. Species in this community tend to be shorter in stature (approximately one meter tall) and less dense than those of the chaparral community. Plants in the coastal sage scrub are typically aromatic. Coastal Sage Scrub: A Fragile Habitat Video (6:00)

In San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, coastal sage scrub occurs at lower elevations, being replaced by chaparral higher on the hills. However, species of the two associations do not recognize boundaries, and several species are frequent members both vegetations.